This Registered Nurse - Prep/Recovery & Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) position is located at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital in Madison, WI. The RN is responsible for administering care to patients pre-and post-operatively in a 19-bed split unit. The role has two distinct but equally significant patient care responsibilities including assisting, planning and caring for patients undergoing surgical and other invasive procedures as well as post procedural care.

Duties

VISN 12 is committed to fostering and sustaining an environment which celebrates diversity, provides equitable opportunities for employment and promotion, and supports inclusiveness in our culture. Together, we strive to create and maintain working and learning environments that promote professional growth and teamwork, and are inclusive, equitable and welcoming. We embrace our differences as individuals and unite as a team toward a common goal: to serve our nation's Veterans. This Registered Nurse - Prep/Recovery & Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) provides interdisciplinary managed care for the outpatient surgical patient, observational surgical patients, inpatient/ICU ward pre-surgical patients, cardiology, interventional radiology, mental health and various ambulatory procedures. Occasionally, the PACU is a hold-over unit for the ward or ICU patient awaiting a bed placement. Nurses working in the Prep/Recovery & PACU will be cross trained and scheduled to work in both patient areas. The PACU is responsible for closely observing the recovering patient by monitoring the patient's vital signs, cardiac rhythm, proper oxygenation levels, ensuring a patent airway and managing their pain levels and are responsible for administering pain medications, intravenous therapy and oxygen as needed. The RN is prepared to take necessary actions if the patient status declines by appropriate interventions and/or initiation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The RN is responsible for documentation of patient care in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR & PICIS) using templates designed to meet regulatory agency compliance as well as other necessary documentation. The PACU also monitors the recovery of the ECT patient as well as patients having anesthetic blocks performed for pain control, either pre or post op. The average length of stay is approximately 60-90 minutes. The PACU is jointly managed by Anesthesia and Nursing Service. Anesthetic Services and Respiratory Therapy provide 24-hour coverage by either in-house or on-call basis. Nursing care is provided by an all RN staff with support from CNA's under direct supervision of the RN. The RN may be assigned charge nurse duties including but not limited to management of patient flow through the unit. They must be able to communicate effectively with patients of different ages and backgrounds, and demonstrate excellent observation and critical thinking skills to be able to make quick and effective decisions. The RN serves as an effective member of the health care team utilizing interpersonal and collaborative skills. The Prep-Recovery Unit is a 12-bed unit that provides interdisciplinary managed care for patients requiring surgery procedures or other reasons. Pre-operatively the RN administers medications, evaluates and accesses admission documents, identifies emergent procedures and adheres to necessary pre­operation policies and procedures. The population served is primarily between the ages of 20-95. The average length of stay varies from 2-8 hours. The prep-recovery area facilitates the pre- and post­ procedure/anesthetic care for patients undergoing surgery or procedures. Individual patient care needs are met through a collaborative interdisciplinary approach with the nurse, physician, anesthesiologist, social worker, physical therapist, and nutritionist and include a significant amount of patient education including discharge instructions. The nursing process of assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation is applied in an ongoing, systematic manner, which begins with the initial patient contact and continues through the post-op follow-up call. Monitoring throughout the unit is provided based on patient acuity and procedure/surgical indications with EKG, pulse oximetry, and non-invasive blood pressure monitoring. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: Part Time 24 hours per week. Variable hours, Monday-Friday 5:30am-8:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The approving official may authorize a waiver of the requirement for ACEN or CCNE accreditation of any degree in nursing provided the college or university has regional accreditation from an accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education at the time of the candidate's graduation and the composite qualifications of the applicant warrant such consideration. In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. OR The completion of coursework equivalent to a nursing degree in a MSN Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration constitutes the completion of an approved course of study of professional nursing. Students should submit the certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX to the VA along with a copy of the MSN transcript. (Reference VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G6) OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of a current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or the District of Columbia. Preferred Experience: Preferred previous Prep/PACU experience Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Nurse I Level I - An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse I Level II - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 1 year of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a bachelor's degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience; OR a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse I Level III - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a BSN with approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse II - A BSN with approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or meets basic requirements for appointment and has doctoral degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse III - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience. Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, and sitting. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must comply with any Employee Health requirements as a condition of employment. In the performance of duties, the incumbent may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address William S Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital 2500 Overlook Terrace Madison, WI 53705 US
• Name: Sara Anderson
• Phone: 6083723971 X61517
• Email: [email protected]